Let’s Talk Trash! - news
PUBLICATION NARRATIVE STUDENT LITTER EDUCATION PROGRAM ACTIVITIES CONNECTING LITTER PREVENTION TO LOCAL WATER QUALITY
Let’s Talk Trash News! is a 24-page newspaper tabloid formatted educational publication designed to be kid/ family friendly. Although it is delivered to all K-8th grade students, we found that it needed to include high school involvement as well. Beginning September 2016, Cheatham County English Teacher, Rick Amburgey, reached out for us to bring Let’s Talk Trash News! into his classroom to provide a writing opportunity for his students. Since then, we now instruct one class each week spanning 1 hour for 27 students in grades 9-12, to prepare articles for younger kids as well as challenge the high school students to research environmental subjects thus bringing the students heightened awareness of the litter issues in our community. Because the age group that begins littering is approximated at 16 years old, this age group is perfect for continued education on the consequences of such behaviors. In fact, some of Mr. Amburgey’s students remember receiving Let’s Talk Trash News! while in middle school, and some recall the former publication, Kidsville News , when they were in grammar school. The involved high school students have the opportunity to engage in a community wide project with recognition. From 2012 though 2014, we published this same type publication, Kidsville News!, which ceased in May 2014. In May of 2015, Clyde White from the Cheatham County Mayor’s office contacted us with the request of the possibility to bring a publication back into the schools after several calls from educators requesting another litter project. After a quick review, it was decided to reformat, and publish litter education specific material appropriately titled, Let’s Talk Trash News! - a coined term in the former publication. The Let’s Talk Trash News! litter education project has been a successful way to engage all students and teachers in a way that has not been available in any other format. Each issue presents a common theme throughout with each story, puzzle, and activity building upon the other to strengthen the message of behavior, responsibility, and good citizenship, which is all required in order to become aware of what is the right thing to do. In addition, Let’s Talk Trash News! is relevant to current events and situations of interest. A Facebook page was also developed for further outreach. Let’s Talk Trash News! has qualified business sponsors who believe in education and partner together in a singular effort to spread the message to keep our county beautiful, and keep our kids informed and engaged. The Museum of Litter is the “hands on” countywide art project, whereas Let’s Talk Trash News! is the educational component of the litter education program. The biannual Museum of Litter project involves all schools and the community as a whole. Decorations of these art projects are limited to only “found litter”. To date, The Museum of Litter art project has raised over $5,700 for our schools. Each year Let’s Talk Trash News! participates in the Cheatham County Mayor’s Back to School Bash where free school supplies are offered to area students. This event has provided the perfect opportunity to introduce the next school year’s issue of Let’s Talk Trash News! . We provide all participants with litterbags, pencils, and other branding items.
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